See links below to ask questions
How long will there be a restriction on swimming if herbicides are used?
Treatment area abutters should expect restrictions for swimming and fishing of 24 hours, although longer or shorter times are possible (see #2). An abutter is anyone with shoreline property within 200’ of the treated area. Outside of the treatment areas there will be no restrictions.
According to the NH Department of Agriculture, restrictions are determined by the NH Department of Agriculture permit based on the herbicide label recommendation as well as local conditions and may differ for each treatment area.
Who makes the final selection of what herbicide will be used?
The Board of Directors with input from the Water Division, NH Department of Environmental Services Limnologist/Exotic Species Program Coordinator, New Hampshire Department of Agriculture Division of Pesticide Control and Big Island Pond Weed Management Task Force Committee.
Are data sheets available that would clearly address short and long term effect of exposure/ immersion/ ingestion of these herbicides?
We use the lake water in the house, what are restrictions for drinking/cooking?
Abutters to treatment areas (shoreline property owners within 200’ of treatment area) who use lake water for washing should expect restrictions of 24 hours). However, the NH Department of Agriculture permit may require some treated areas to be sampled and tested to determine when lake water consumption may resume. Outside of the treatment areas there will be no restrictions.
Are there statistics on which of the 5 herbicide is proven more effective? Also, any data on use on a comparable lake to ours?
NH Department of Agriculture and the herbicide vendor recommend diquat or fluridone as effective for treatment of spiny naiad. The only other lake in NH that has spiny naiad (Milton 3 Ponds) has used diquat for the past 2 years – they report good control, but not elimination. See the Pros/Cons document on the BIPC website for comparison.
http://bigislandpond.org/task-force-spiney-naiad-committee/
My well is 60’ deep and about 40’ from the shoreline. Should we have any concerns with our drinking water?
Water supply wells within 50’ of the shoreline of treatment areas should be tested after herbicide application. This will be the property owner’s responsibility.
Who is sending out the ballots? How much time will be given to vote? Are votes based on the number of shares or one per member?
Big Island pond corresponding secretary is responsible for sending out the ballots. Per the bylaws the Corresponding Secretary shall send notification of meetings, prepare correspondence, handle mailings to shareholders, and perform other clerical duties.
Ballots have been sent out to all shareholders per the Board of Directors vote on January 13th. All returned ballots must be postmarked by February 15th, 2021.
Votes are based on the number of voting shares a shareholder owns. A shareholder can own no more than four (4) voting shares, with one vote per share.
Would the state permit all 50 acres of Spiny Naiad to be covered in benthic barriers?
Fri 1/22/2021
“No, definitely not. We typically look at 10’x10’ areas, they are not intended to “pave” the bottom of the lake. Also, they are difficult to manage on that scale, and most certainly would bubble up with gas release from the lake sediment, no matter how pervious the material, and how well staked they are. That is an excessive acreage to benthic barrier.”
Amy P. Smagula
Limnologist/Exotic Species Program Coordinator
Watershed Management Bureau
Water Division, NH Department of Environmental Services
How long after herbicide treatment before I use lake water for watering vegetables & flowers? Will vegetables be safe to eat?
Restrictions for plant watering using lake water in treatment areas vary depending on the herbicide used but are applicable to shoreline property owners within 200’ of the treated areas. For diquat the water use restriction can be up to 5 days and for fluridone up to 30. The actual time will be recommended by the NH Dept Agriculture permit which may also require testing by the vendor of water in the treated areas. None of the herbicides on our list bioaccumulate in animals or plants.
Questions for Area Directors – Knowable on all matters
The Board of Directors consist of two members from each of the sixteen areas of Big Island Pond. AS directors representing your area they attend monthly board meetings from April thru October and receive updated reports from all committees and the executive board.
Questions for Weed Task Force – Created to assist with recent Spiny Naiad Infestation
The team, made up of residents of the lake, is headed by BIPC Area 4 director and past Weed Management Committee head, Mike Damphousse, and is comprised of a doctorate in biochemistry that worked in pharmaceutical development for 40 years, a career long engineer, a PhD botanist in molecular biology who works with molecular genetics in plants, and a PhD plant physiologist who was the head of a university plant sciences department with a strength in weed science.
Corresponding Secretary – Handles all correspondence on behalf of BIPC
Sends notification of meetings, prepare correspondence, handle mailings to shareholders, and perform other clerical duties as directed by the President or the Vice-President.